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News from Northwest Nazarene UniversityThu, 30 Jul 2015 17:59:25 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.1NNU on a Mission: Argentinahttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/07/06/nnu-on-a-mission-argentina/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/07/06/nnu-on-a-mission-argentina/#commentsMon, 06 Jul 2015 19:08:31 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=13724From using puppets to teach children at Vacation Bible School, to sharing testimonies at church, to building a greenhouse that will help feed a neighborhood, the NNU on a Mission:…]]>

From using puppets to teach children at Vacation Bible School, to sharing testimonies at church, to building a greenhouse that will help feed a neighborhood, the NNU on a Mission: Argentina team was seeking to make a difference. And they succeeded.

Nine students, Kara Martinez (Edmonds, Wash.), Brittany Leber (Nampa, Idaho), Darrell Leber (Lake Stevens, Wash.), Julia Loeber (Milton, Wash.), Alex Hanson (Colville, Wash.), Jordan Dyk (Billings, Mont.), Tarah Rupe (Boise, Idaho), J.J. McNeil (Caldwell, Idaho), and Austin Thomas (Lewiston, Idaho), have returned from a 20-day missions trip to Pilar, Argentina. Led by Electrical Engineering Professor Dr. Steve Parke and University Chaplain Olivia Metcalf, and under the direction of engineering students, Alex, J.J., Jordan and Darrell, the team developed a community greenhouse for the locals. The partnership between NNU On A Mission and the Engineering department allowed such a trip to be possible.

What started as a senior design project for some engineering students, culminated with the implementation of that design into a fully functioning greenhouse almost 6,500 miles away. Beginning with just a bare plot of land, the team outlined where the greenhouse would go, created the frame, mixed concrete, put up a fence, painted the structure with antioxidant paint, laid bricks and finally dedicated the greenhouse. This community garden will serve the local neighborhood long after the team returns to NNU, and will inspire the locals to construct similar greenhouses in other neighborhoods.

When the team wasn’t working on the greenhouse, they could be found in community centers, schools, churches and homes. The team sought to make a difference in the community spiritually, relationally and physically. One of the students who attended, Austin Thomas, went as a videographer to help document the trip. From his unique fly-on-the-wall perspective, Austin offered his thoughts on the trip, saying, “I think the value of this trip is not that it changed me, or made me a different person. The value of this trip, and others like it, is that it reminded me of what it means to truly serve others.”

The entire experience was one that the students will never forget. After only a few days in Argentina, Kara Martinez was already impacted by her work, and posted on Facebook, “These past five days in Argentina have been ones to remember. Working on the greenhouse and getting to know the people here has been so rewarding! I’m excited to see what’s to come for our team over this next week!” Metcalf was extremely proud of the students, saying, “They are a testament to all that is good about NNU—deep thinkers, compassionate servants, Christ followers, and willing to have fun and get to know others outside of their comfort zone.” It was a very busy, very productive and very successful trip to say the least. “It was a wonderful combination of multi-cultural experiences, partnering with others, and using our various skills to work together to accomplish something,” shared Metcalf.

Plans are already being discussed for a return trip with a focus on helping victims of human trafficking.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/07/06/nnu-on-a-mission-argentina/feed/0Social Work students serve in San Franciscohttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/04/20/social-work-student-serve-in-california/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/04/20/social-work-student-serve-in-california/#commentsMon, 20 Apr 2015 17:23:24 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=13175NNU professors Mark Maddix, LeAnn Stensgaard and Drey Campbell took a group of 33 students to San Francisco to serve homeless, youth and elderly populations as a part of a…]]>

NNU professors Mark Maddix, LeAnn Stensgaard and Drey Campbell took a group of 33 students to San Francisco to serve homeless, youth and elderly populations as a part of a cross-cultural mission trip.

The students spent time working in downtown San Fransisco and Oakland on a variety of social justice issues, capped off by a visit to the famous Glide Church Sunday morning. The trip was a success and many opportunities of growth were provided.

Anyone interested in learning more about it can contact Professors Stensgaard and/or Maddix.

With bags packed and homework put away for a few days, students scattered all around the country for spring break. Some students went home to visit family, some gathered their surf gear to head to San Diego for the surf trip, some traveled across the country to share their talents with the people of New York City while others traveled to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Bella Voce and Jazz Revivalin New York
Eighteen women from the all-girls’ choir, Bella Voce, and six members of Jazz Revival spent their spring break with Flushing First Church of the Nazarene in Queens, New York, to help them celebrate the church’s 95th anniversary. While the group was there to share their God-given talents and perform, they also spent time cleaning the church and exploring the neighborhood inviting people to concerts and services.

They also had the opportunity to perform at a Korean church and an Indo-Pakistan church, both of which required translation—a unique experience for many students. As junior student Kara Fleming (Meridian, Idaho) shared, “Spending time with the churches in Flushing really showed me what it means to be part of the body of Christ—a cross-cultural body that worships in different languages and different places but comes together to love each other and serve the Lord.”

A three-hour service in Korean had a definite impression on sophomore student Nicole Keller (Homedale, Idaho). During this service, Bella Voce and Jazz Revival adapted some of their cultural norms to the Korean culture. At the same time, the Korean culture had made some adaptations in order for the NNU group feel more welcome. “In just one three-hour service, I learned what it means to be not only a Christian but a human. It means that we are one; we are one body of Christ no matter how different we may be,” Nicole said.

A trip to New York City is never complete without some classic tourist sites and exploration of Manhattan, including the Metropolitan Opera House, the 9/11 museum, and the Statue of Liberty. “The trip was a trip in which students had a chance to serve and gain cross-cultural experience as well as explore a city rich in cultural, historical and educational sites,” Dr. Judy Marlett, Bella Voce director commented.

“Going to New York with Bella Voce and Jazz Revival made the trip unique because I got to experience the city not only as a tourist, but also as a musician, a servant, and a student. The trip meant a lot more because I was with my choir family,” Kara added.

This trip fulfilled a Tier 1 cultural experience for students and helped them gain insight into health problems and healthcare in these two Central American countries. Students were able to visit Granada, Masaya, San Juan del Sur and the Island of Ometepe in Nicaragua.

In Costa Rica the travel group visited San Jose, Liberia, the volcanoes Arenal and Poas, as well as Puerto Viheo and the nearby Bribri Indian Reservation. A highlight of the trip was being able to provide a health clinic for the residents of the transitional living area of Carpio near San Jose.

This trip fulfilled a Tier 1 cultural experience for students and helped them gain insight into health problems and healthcare in these two Central American countries. Students were able to visit Granada, Masaya, San Juan del Sur and the Island of Ometepe in Nicaragua.

In Costa Rica the travel group visited San Jose, Liberia, the volcanoes Arenal and Poas, as well as Puerto Viheo and the nearby Bribri Indian Reservation. A highlight of the trip was being able to provide a health clinic for the residents of the transitional living area of Carpio near San Jose.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/04/10/nursing-students-visit-costa-rica-and-nicaragua/feed/0NNU students make waves to bring awareness to global clean-water crisishttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/04/08/nnu-students-make-waves-to-bring-awareness-to-global-clean-water-crisis/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/04/08/nnu-students-make-waves-to-bring-awareness-to-global-clean-water-crisis/#commentsWed, 08 Apr 2015 20:32:29 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=13062“Do for one what you wish you could do for all” has become the motto for four NNU students who have dedicated their time and energy to a fundraising and…]]>

“Do for one what you wish you could do for all” has become the motto for four NNU students who have dedicated their time and energy to a fundraising and awareness campaign, dubbed “Rippleffect.”

The student-led campaign is intended to help Hope Home, an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, have better access to clean water. The campaign has consisted of water challenges, a social media campaign, and an upcoming Haitian-themed dinner hosted by Sodexo (NNU’s food service provider). The awareness campaign will culminate with a community 5K fundraiser that will be held at on campus Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. The community is invited to participate and can donate or register for the 5K at spirituallife.nnu.edu/doforone.

After senior students Lukas Rieke (Pasco, Wash.) and Kassi Johnson (Kenai, Alaska) and juniors Rachel Ball (Ucon, Idaho) and McCrea Nirider (Tacoma, Wash.) traveled to Haiti with NNU on a Mission during the summer of 2014, they came home changed. The majority of their time in Haiti was spent at Hope Home, an orphanage that houses children with mental and physical disabilities—a marginalized demographic in Haiti.

With a water pump that only runs a few hours a day providing just a few gallons of water for the 80-person facility, the lack of fresh running water is a major challenge for Hope Home. After seeing first-hand the poverty these children were facing, the NNU students came home with a passion to find a way to help.

“As I visited the orphanage in Haiti, I was personally struck by how much they struggle,” explained McCrea. “John 10:10 says that Christ came to bring ‘abundant life.’ And while there can be abundant life in poverty, it can be so much harder when you’re struggling for the basic necessities of life.”

The team knows that their efforts will be small in light of the global needs of poverty, but they are refusing to let the scope of the problem overwhelm or paralyze them, as their motto and campaign tagline states, “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”

Along with fostering awareness, the Rippleffect campaign is working to raise $30,000 to implement a new water system for Hope Home.

The team was awarded a grant from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to help with funds for a new water pump as well as funds to implement their campaign. The NNU campus has been involved with water challenges over the past few weeks including limiting shower time to less than five minutes and only drinking iodine tablet-treated water.

Along with fostering awareness, the Rippleffect campaign is working to raise $30,000 to implement a new water system for Hope Home.

The team was awarded a grant from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to help with funds for a new water pump as well as funds to implement their campaign. The NNU campus has been involved with water challenges over the past few weeks including limiting shower time to less than five minutes and only drinking iodine tablet-treated water.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/04/08/nnu-students-make-waves-to-bring-awareness-to-global-clean-water-crisis/feed/0Learning the Costa Rican wayhttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/01/14/12333/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/01/14/12333/#commentsWed, 14 Jan 2015 22:39:45 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=12333An NNU education doesn’t look the same from one person to the next, or even from one semester to the next. Sometimes it takes place in Nampa, sometimes in the…]]>

An NNU education doesn’t look the same from one person to the next, or even from one semester to the next. Sometimes it takes place in Nampa, sometimes in the jungles of Costa Rica. Sophomore, communications science major Michael Reimer tells how his study abroad experience completely changed his perspective. Read the full story here.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2015/01/14/12333/feed/0NNU’s Ministerial Scholarship helps build next generation of church leadershttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2014/04/09/nnus-ministerial-scholarship-helps-build-next-generation-of-church-leaders/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2014/04/09/nnus-ministerial-scholarship-helps-build-next-generation-of-church-leaders/#commentsWed, 09 Apr 2014 17:50:59 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=9270Recently, a Yahoo Education article titled “Don’t Bother Earning These Five Degrees” placed religious studies as the second most unwanted degree by employers. In the same article a senior vice…]]>

Recently, a Yahoo Education article titled “Don’t Bother Earning These Five Degrees” placed religious studies as the second most unwanted degree by employers. In the same article a senior vice president of a recruiting company remarked, “I don’t even know what people do with these degrees, to be honest.”

To be honest, religion students at Northwest Nazarene University plan on serving the Church.

“I have felt called into ministry since 1998,” said James Austin who was formerly a small business owner. “I had a good job, but ten years after graduating from high school the wells dried up, and I needed to make a change. I decided to take God’s direction for my life seriously.” While at NNU, James is serving at Nampa First Church and hopes to continue there after graduation.

Aaron Moschitto is a conversationalist. “There wasn’t one moment when I was told to be a pastor, but God has led me to pursue ministry through my church leaders. Through conversation, they affirmed the call I had sensed for years.”

Aaron is on the worship team, works with 5th and 6th graders and is sometimes janitor at Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene. “There was a need, and I filled it. I’ll serve wherever I need to.” Aaron will start earning a Master of Divinity after graduation.

“I was 13, I didn’t like my youth group, and I was complaining to God,” laughs Michelle Borbe. “That’s when He told me I was going to be in youth ministry, and one day I would mentor a punk kid like myself.” After graduation, Michelle will move to Longview Church of the Nazarene near Vancouver, Wash. There she will work in youth ministry and begin a master’s program.

These three Christian Ministry majors are not worrying about a job after graduation. Years ago they committed themselves to God’s employment. In turn, NNU and the Church of the Nazarene committed to them. Faced with the reality that a large number of ministry candidates enter full-time Christian service with substantial student loan debt, NNU made a substantial commitment to undergraduate Nazarene ministerial students like James, Aaron and Michelle.

The Ministerial Loan & Scholarship Program offers qualifying students the potential of receiving up to $19,500 in grants over the course of their undergraduate studies. A ministry degree is both a personal and financial investment, but that does not mean the Church’s pastors should be burdened by insurmountable debt. This program is available to all undergraduate students entering NNU who select a major and a minor within the School of Theology & Christian Ministries and who plan on vocational ministry within the Church of the Nazarene. To insure the most aid goes to students who are serious about ministry, any student who receives the Ministerial Scholarship is asked to commit to be a pastor, minister or church leader.

When asked about this commitment, James said, “That doesn’t scare me; that’s what I’m preparing for. Being pushed into ministry is exactly what I am looking for.”

For those who know their calling, the Ministerial Scholarship is a blessing not a contract.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2014/04/09/nnus-ministerial-scholarship-helps-build-next-generation-of-church-leaders/feed/0Building God’s Kingdom: one block at a timehttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/06/19/building-gods-kingdom-one-block-at-a-time/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/06/19/building-gods-kingdom-one-block-at-a-time/#commentsTue, 19 Jun 2012 16:10:38 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=1855The motto for the first capstone design project in missional engineering is found in Matthew 16:18: “On this foundation, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will…]]>

The motto for the first capstone design project in missional engineering is found in Matthew 16:18: “On this foundation, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not defeat it!”

Extreme Nazarene mission director, Brian Tibbs, and engineer/missionaries, Dennis Linnell, Mike Drinkwater and Mike Wheatley, first approached NNU’s engineering department in the fall of 2010 to ask for faculty and student help in solving an urgent mission problem. Thirty recently planted church fellowships across the country of Peru had been identified as being ready to build church buildings. However, the local cinder block and clay brick construction methods were not strong enough (especially in earthquakes) and required masonry skills that were not always available. What Extreme wanted was strong, lightweight blocks that could be produced right on the church construction site by local unskilled labor, even in the absence of reliable electric power. They wanted a mobile, generator-powered, block factory on a truck to make building blocks that could be snapped together, similar to LEGOs, to build churches and homes without mortar or masonry skills.

Extreme’s original plan was to build the Peru churches using large polystyrene blocks, called FASTBLOCKS. Starting in summer 2011, the first three foam block churches were built in Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado, and Puno. These large styrofoam FASTBLOCKS were stacked by short-term missionary teams to form walls and then reinforced internally with concrete and rebar to build strong, well-insulated structures. The exterior walls were then stuccoed inside and out and covered with trusses and a roof. However, importing these styrofoam blocks to Peru and then shipping them around the country became expensive and infeasible as a long-term plan. The NNU team was challenged to design, build, and deliver to Peru in summer 2012 a portable block-molding plant using two-part polyurethane (instead of polystyrene/Styrofoam) that can be injected into aluminum molds from compact storage drums. The wet foam then expands twenty times its original volume and cures in 20 minutes, producing all the blocks needed to build a small church building for 100 people from only two 55 gallon drums.

Under the guidance of NNU engineering professor, Dr. Stephen Parke, the “Extreme Engineering” team of seniors (Michael Whiting, Luke Hetrick, Andrew Peterson, Bryan Hunt) investigated, designed, prototyped and tested many different methods, materials, and mold designs (both in wood and alumninum). Countless hours were spent in the new Thomas Center Engineering Fab Lab, machining molds, pouring molds, and testing various mold release chemicals. Amazing new working relationships sprung up between NNU, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Micron, and RMAC Machine Shop including hours of expert volunteer work by outside engineers such as Steve Brougham and Jeff Duncan from MAF.

NNU’s team of seniors first went to Peru in July 2011 to better understand the problem constraints and to physically help build the Puerto Maldonado foam block church, thus gaining valuable insight into this new building process. They started their senior year in Fall 2011 with an improved, more practical plan and a new enthusiasm for what God is doing in Peru.

“Getting to know the people by working with them and sharing stories with them was an amazing experience,” said senior Andrew Peterson (Wash.). “This project was an answer to their prayers from God. Their passion and faith really made me want to become more involved on the project.”

After returning from Peru to start their senior year, the students passion for the project was immediately recognizable. “I’m used to students working hard on their senior design projects, but you can really tell when it goes from being just a project required for graduation and becomes a deep personal commitment and an encounter with serving the Lord,” said Dr. Parke.

Throughout the school year these seniors worked hard to perfect the process, even giving up their Spring Break to make sure the system would be ready to send to Peru in May 2012. This experience allowed the students to love people they had never met while using their God-given engineering talents and knowledge acquired throughout their time at NNU. In the end it was difficult to tell whether it was the Peruvians or the students and professors who felt most blessed by the whole experience.

Senior Michael Whiting (Idaho) described the project this way: “It is not self-seeking, but seeking to serve people through the love that God instills in us. We are using the creative aspects of engineering to build a foundation for eternal change and building blocks for God, out of love for his people.” Michael, Luke, Andrew, and Bryan all graduated with their engineering degrees in May.

Dr. Parke says: “This project is really at the heart of what we’re all about in engineering at NNU: the opportunity to apply our skills to advance God’s kingdom and to meet human needs at the same time. We’re excited to design new technologies to build churches in Peru and other countries as well.” Dr. Parke and his fellow professors at the University are deeply committed to the work that God has called them to. And, their students take notice.

“It’s really exciting to come here and see the professors not only passionate about teaching the subject matter—be it engineering, math or English—but also see them so excited and on fire for God. That instills a fire for God in me,” says junior David Vinson (Wash.) who joined the team in January along with senior Jesse Baggenstos (Wash) to continue the next phase.

In the weeks following commencement 2012, Dr. Parke, Vinson, and Baggenstos traveled to the Extreme Peru headquarters in Arequipa, Peru to deliver, setup and train Peruvians how to use the new block-molding plant. Despite several obstacles, and thanks to many answered prayers, the team’s mission was accomplished, resulting in the establishment of small-scale production of these new one-meter long, one kilogram polyurethane building blocks with a 20% cost savings over the previous polystyrene block costs. The first blocks produced by this portable plant will be used by another short term missionary team to build a new church in Cuzco, Peru in June. Over the next two years, more than 20 more churches will be built in various places across Peru using this new mobile plant. In the future, it is expected that this plant will be trucked to and used in other South American countries by Extreme and that this new technology may be used in many other countries and mission areas around the world.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/06/19/building-gods-kingdom-one-block-at-a-time/feed/0Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® and Stiletto Run & Music Eventhttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/04/11/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-and-stiletto-run-music-event/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/04/11/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-and-stiletto-run-music-event/#commentsWed, 11 Apr 2012 22:06:04 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=1501NNU students have planned a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® event to help raise awareness about sexual violence and to donate funds in support of the Nampa Family Justice Center. The event will be Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University track.

On Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students from the International Justice Mission (IJM) are hosting a Stiletto Run and Music Festival at Nampa’s Lakeview Park. Proceeds will go to the International Justice Mission to benefit victims of human trafficking and slavery.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/04/11/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-and-stiletto-run-music-event/feed/0NNU MBA students and professors travel to Panama and Costa Ricahttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/03/14/nnu-mba-students-and-professors-travel-to-panama-and-costa-rica/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/03/14/nnu-mba-students-and-professors-travel-to-panama-and-costa-rica/#commentsWed, 14 Mar 2012 17:47:55 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=1245A group of Northwest Nazarene University’s MBA students and professors will be traveling to Panama and on into Costa Rica during NNU’s spring break March 19-23. The goal of the trip is to enhance the student’s study of international business and economics as part of “Managing in a Global Economy” coursework and understanding of global business.

Panama City is quickly becoming the business hub of Latin America. While in Panama they plan to visit the Panama Canal, an indigenous native community that is working to become self-sufficient through eco-tourism, as well as visiting the site of a new international terminal being planned for major air transport into a newly designed city on the Pacific coast.

In Costa Rica, the group looks forward to observing a nation that has become the number one eco-tourist nation in the world. They also plan to visit coffee and banana plantations, volcanic eco-systems and beach destinations created for world tourism. This trip will provide a unique view of how cultural differences affect political, social and business dealings.

Those traveling will be students Deborah and Michael Fantaski, Dena and Aldin Nadarevic and Corey Eyre, and professors Dr. Ron Galloway, Dr. Karen Jones and Dr. Sam and Lois Dunn.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/03/14/nnu-mba-students-and-professors-travel-to-panama-and-costa-rica/feed/0Students head to Canada to work with Mission Possible over spring breakhttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/03/13/students-head-to-canada-to-work-with-mission-possible-over-spring-break/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/03/13/students-head-to-canada-to-work-with-mission-possible-over-spring-break/#commentsTue, 13 Mar 2012 21:39:39 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=1256Read the Idaho Press Tribune’s coverage of this trip here, or watch the YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A46MigCkhRY&feature=BFa&list=UUSykoZKHhLFyHAJd3dnBR_g&lf=plcp

NNU students will be traveling to Vancouver, BC during their spring break, March 19-23, to work with Mission Possible, a Christian humanitarian agency. Mission Possible focuses on transforming lives by helping those challenged by homelessness and poverty to achieve a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work.

The NNU students will be involved in relational ministry in one of North America’s most diverse cities. Students will have an opportunity to be present with, to listen to, and to learn from, those who live in poverty.

This trip fulfills NNU’s graduation requirement for a cross-cultural experience.

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/03/13/students-head-to-canada-to-work-with-mission-possible-over-spring-break/feed/0Alumni return from Bangladeshhttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/02/14/alumni-return-from-bangladesh/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/02/14/alumni-return-from-bangladesh/#commentsTue, 14 Feb 2012 21:25:04 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=1084Northwest Nazarene University alumni recently returned from a two-week trip to Bangladesh. One of the highlights for the team was visiting the Village of Hope, a ministry to orphans and…]]>

Northwest Nazarene University alumni recently returned from a two-week trip to Bangladesh.

One of the highlights for the team was visiting the Village of Hope, a ministry to orphans and widows living as a sustainable community on 17 acres of land. NNU’s alumni team was able to deliver Jesus film-equipment packs and to see the powerful impact this film has on people who are hungry to hear the gospel in their native language.

The team saw firsthand the life-transforming work the Bangladesh Nazarene Mission is doing on a daily basis to feed and to educate over 10,000 children through its Child Development Center. Bangladesh is experiencing miraculous church growth through their holistic approach to ministry by addressing the needs of the entire person.

Tahmina Martelly, an alumnus of the class of 1988 and member of the NNU Alumni Association Board of Directors, was born and raised in Bangladesh. She stated, “In 1993, I gave birth to my daughter who is a freshman this year at NNU; that same year, the first Church of the Nazarene opened its doors in Bangladesh. This year there are over 70,000 members and over 1,879 churches with new ones starting daily.”

Tahmina shares that this trip was more than just a trip for her. “I learned new words for God in the Bangla language—ones I never knew; I sang new songs that were not even written when I became a Christian; I read the Bible and recited the Lord’s prayer in Bangla for the first time and I watched the Jesus film with the Bangladesh people. Most of all, I got to see the word of God come to life. It was a piece of heaven right here on earth. I don’t think there are words in English, or any of the other languages I know, to describe the fullness of my heart. God is indeed good.”

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/02/14/alumni-return-from-bangladesh/feed/0NNU alumni depart for trip in Bangladeshhttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/01/11/nnu-alumni-depart-for-trip-in-bangladesh/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/01/11/nnu-alumni-depart-for-trip-in-bangladesh/#commentsWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:01:52 +0000http://www.nnu.edu/news/?p=1006As part of a JESUS Film Harvest Partner’s initiative, NNU alumni will depart January 19 for a two-week trip to Bangladesh. Located in southern Asia, Bangladesh is an area in…]]>

As part of a JESUS Film Harvest Partner’s initiative, NNU alumni will depart January 19 for a two-week trip to Bangladesh. Located in southern Asia, Bangladesh is an area in critical need of JESUS film equipment and ministry teams.

Tahmina Martelly, a member of the NNU Alumni Association Board of Directors and class of 1988, was born and raised in Bangladesh. She expressed, “I am amazed and absolutely awed by what God is doing in Bangladesh! As a young Bengali Christian, I thought I was the only one in the world and felt so alone. But now I have met and seen firsthand men and women who are leading and pastoring churches in my home country. Only God can do that.”

The NNU team of alumni and campus personnel will deliver six film-equipment packs to the field and experience firsthand the powerful impact this film has on people who are hungry to hear the gospel in their native language. In addition, the team will receive an on-field cultural orientation, distribute Jesus film invitations and help set up and tear down equipment for events as well as participate in outreach and compassionate ministries.

“I’m excited to be part of this NNU alumni team taking new film equipment into Bangladesh,” Martelly said. “I know God will open many more doors for ministry opportunities in the future!”

Please pray for Martelly and the team in the coming week

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2012/01/11/nnu-alumni-depart-for-trip-in-bangladesh/feed/0Looking through a new lens: NNU students explore biology, culture and photography in Costa Ricahttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2011/07/29/looking_through_a_new_lens_nnu_students_explore_biology_culture_and_photography_in_costa_rica/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2011/07/29/looking_through_a_new_lens_nnu_students_explore_biology_culture_and_photography_in_costa_rica/#commentsFri, 29 Jul 2011 12:18:06 +0000Like most summers at Northwest Nazarene University, the end of spring semester means the beginning of a number of international travel opportunities for students to earn credits while learning in a global classroom. One of these trips was led by professors Cossel, Tucker and Earwicker from NNU’s biology, art and cultural studies departments. Seeking to marry objectives from these three diverse programs, the instructors took a group of 20 students on an adventure of a lifetime to the beautiful country of Costa Rica.

Starting their journey in the lowlands, the team traveled up from the tropical beaches to the cloud forest and back again. Along the way they visited a coffee farm, a research institute and even stayed a night in the rain forest. Students had the opportunity to experience the wide spectrum of unique environments that Costa Rica has to offer and to learn more about themselves and God’s magnificent creation.

While the beaches were beautiful, the group didn’t spend long at sea level, but rather began making their way into the rainforest and up the mountain. Because they planned to cover so much ground and to be as close to nature as possible along the way, much of the trip was spent hiking—mostly by day but sometimes by night. Sophomore ecology major Maggie Radach shared that taking night hikes in the rain forest was one of the highlights of the trip.
“Walking in the dark forest with just our headlamps allowed us to focus on the amazing creatures one at a time and take everything in.” Other students were more reluctant but equally enthralled. Sophomore art major Autumn Tustin explained that the hand-sized spiders, snakes and other creepy crawlies were intimidating to some people both on the night hikes and as cabin mates when the group stayed overnight in the rainforest in an open air structure.

As they gained elevation, another stop was at the Quetzal Education Research Center (QERC). This center located right below the cloud forest is a joint venture between Southern Nazarene University and the Efrain Chacon Family and serves as a launching point for visiting researchers, students and faculty into the rain and cloud forests. The NNU students used this facility as home base for further study of the unique plants and animals, lighting and landscapes of the region.

Beyond QERC, the group made their way to the Mora Family Farm which served as another highlight of the trip. Here the team learned about sustainable living and experienced the hospitality of the local culture. The Mora Family Farm cultivates coffee beans as its primary crop, but produces practically everything else needed by the family. “They even grow over 56 types of plants used for herbal remedies,” noted Radach. The farm produces next to no trash and repurposes everything. “The Mora family lives at a level of sustainability that many in the U.S. strive for but few achieve. We were inspired to examine our own lives to determine what we can do to be better stewards of our resources,” said Radach.

After making their way back down to sea level, the students had an opportunity to explore the city. To facilitate interaction with the local community, the faculty gave each student a sum of money and encouraged them to haggle at the markets and eat the local fare. Their stop in the city allowed the students to immerse in the culture, language and customs of the people of Costa Rica.

Professor Ben Earwicker summed up the tour well saying, “Our trip to Costa Rica helped us all appreciate the diversity of ecology and culture in our hemisphere. Dr. Cossel’s guided explorations of lowland jungles, rain forests and cloud forests deepened our understanding of biology and ecology in the tropical environment. Students observed sustainable, organic farming at the Mora Family Farm and learned about tourism and its impact on the economy and environment of Costa Rica. In terms of language and culture, students demonstrated repeatedly their desire to engage others in conversation and fellowship, not merely as tourists, but as partners and friends. We were challenged to think about how our choices as travelers and consumers impact others, at home and abroad. Ultimately, this was a rewarding and thought-provoking trip for faculty and students alike.”

Despite living internationally and traveling extensively, Tustin believed this trip was unique from anything she had experienced before. “For me, it wasn’t just a trip to learn about biology and photography. I learned about myself, how to work with others and how spectacular this planet is. It was an opportunity I will not soon forget.”

]]>http://www.nnu.edu/news/2011/07/29/looking_through_a_new_lens_nnu_students_explore_biology_culture_and_photography_in_costa_rica/feed/0A mentor and a friendhttp://www.nnu.edu/news/2010/11/12/a_mentor_and_a_friend/
http://www.nnu.edu/news/2010/11/12/a_mentor_and_a_friend/#commentsFri, 12 Nov 2010 03:57:04 +0000Every Thursday around noon Shelley Eilers packs her things and drives to Iowa Elementary School where she meets her 5th grade friend, Jordan. Shelley, an administrative assistant at Northwest Nazarene University, gives up a lunch hour to invest in a young life as a mentor through The Mentoring Network.

Last November, The Mentoring Network matched Shelley with Jordan, now a 5th grader, from Iowa Elementary School in Nampa. Jordan’s days are full of learning about double and triple digits and the body’s systems. After school, Jordan loves to play defender on her soccer team. She has two kittens and aspires to be a veterinarian some day. Whether they are playing UNO or looking up Jordan’s vocabulary words in the dictionary, it is evident that Shelley and Jordan enjoy their time together.

“Every child needs an adult friend who he/she can look to as a positive role model. As I spend time with Jordan, I hope she can depend on me to help her with things she may be dealing with and to be there for her as a friend,” Eilers said.

Since 1999, The Mentoring Network, Inc. has offered school-based mentoring to rural school-referred, at-risk students in grades 1-8. Students can request to continue to meet with their mentor into high school. Five rural school districts including Nampa, Caldwell, Parma, Homedale and Vallivue benefit from The Mentoring Network.

With the help of programs such as The Mentoring Network, students like Jordan receive extra attention. The goal of the program is to improve attendance, state testing scores, behaviors and self-worth through friendship.

Mentors commit to visiting the student in his or her school for one hour each week. School counselors and teachers recommend a student’s participation in the program. After a mentor becomes available, students obtain parental permission and are then invited to participate.

“Mentoring is an opportunity that works well with my schedule because it only requires one lunch hour each week,” Eilers expressed.

For more information on how you can become a mentor, contact Donna Shines at (208) 459-2844 or visit www.mentoringnetworkID.org.